Landmark Cases

Case Name: Venkataramana NAIDU v. Ann D. LAIRD

Dr. Naidu treated Hilton Putney at DE State Hospital. 5 1/2 months after discharge,
Putney rammed car of Mr. Laird, killed him. found Not Guilty by reason of Insanity (NGI).
Mrs. Laird sued state hospital for negligent release, won $1,400,000. Experts testified
both ways on "should have committed." Court said decision was jury's; also, time
by itself does NOT preclude proximate cause. Dept of Mental Health as an agency was
excluded by sovereign immunity. Putney had 18 prior hospitalizations with violent
behavior, had rammed others with cars while psychotic, had been treated with po Navane
every time, never took it post hospital.